If you were watching WWE Raw on March 31, 2025, you probably felt that specific jolt of adrenaline when those classic British-inspired riffs hit the speakers at London's O2 Arena. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for: the official WWE New Catch Republic reunion. Tyler Bate, the "Big Strong Boy" himself, was finally back after nearly eight months on the shelf with a brutal torn pectoral muscle. Seeing him stand next to Pete Dunne again? It felt right. It felt like the tag team division was about to get its soul back.
But wrestling is never that simple.
Honestly, the journey of New Catch Republic has been a bit of a rollercoaster. They aren't just two guys thrown together by creative. These are the founding fathers of NXT UK. They’ve spent years battering people across the globe, from the sweaty halls of PROGRESS in London to the bright lights of WrestleMania. Yet, every time they seem poised to take over the world, something—injuries, weird gimmicks, or just plain old bad timing—gets in the way.
The London Comeback and the Pectoral Injury
Let’s talk about that 2025 return because it was a big deal. Tyler Bate had been gone since July 2024. He tore his left pectoral major muscle and a tendon off the bone during a match against Hank & Tank down in NXT. That kind of injury is no joke. It requires surgery and a grueling rehab process that can break a person’s spirit.
When Bate showed up as the mystery partner for Pete Dunne to face The New Day, the roof nearly came off the building. The UK crowd knows these two better than anyone. They watched them trade the UK Championship back in 2017 in matches that basically redefined what "Strong Style" meant in a WWE ring.
Even though they actually lost that reunion match to Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, the message was clear. New Catch Republic was back. Or so we thought.
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What happened next was... weird.
Wrestling fans are used to "creative having nothing for you," but the post-reunion trajectory for Dunne and Bate has been one of the most head-scratching periods in recent memory. After that high-profile London return, they didn't immediately rocket into the title picture. Instead, they were used sporadically on Main Event—WWE’s secondary show—where they picked up wins against teams like A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory).
Then things took a turn for the bizarre.
By late 2025, the WWE New Catch Republic reunion took a detour into "Los Americanos." If you missed this, I don't blame you. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate were repackaged as masked luchadores named Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano. They became part of a stable led by Ludwig Kaiser (acting as "El Grande Americano"). It was a massive departure from the gritty, "British Strong Style" roots that made them famous.
Why the New Catch Republic Brand Still Matters
Despite the masks and the name changes, fans haven't let go of the New Catch Republic identity. There’s a reason for that. This team represents a very specific technical excellence. While other teams rely on high-flying spots or pure power, Dunne and Bate specialize in "Catch" wrestling—joint manipulation, finger snapping, and leverage-based throws that look like they actually hurt.
- The History: They have been a unit since 2016.
- The Chemistry: They finish each other's sequences without looking.
- The Pedigree: Both are former champions who have carried entire brands on their backs.
When they were officially named "New Catch Republic" in February 2024, it felt like WWE was finally leaning into their heritage. They even had a massive shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles against The Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber in Perth. They didn't win, but they proved they belonged on the stadium stage.
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The "Not Injured" Controversy
In July 2025, rumors started swirling that the duo was sidelined with injuries again. People were worried. Was the reunion cursed? Tyler Bate eventually took to Instagram to clear the air with a blunt two-word caption: "Not injured."
He added a "Waiting..." for good measure.
That post spoke volumes. It suggested that the physical tools were there, but the creative direction wasn't. For a team with their level of talent, sitting in the locker room while the tag division moves on is a tough pill to swallow. It highlights the main struggle for New Catch Republic: they are "wrestler's wrestlers" in a company that often prioritizes "character's characters."
The Real Potential of a Sustained Reunion
If WWE actually commits to a long-term WWE New Catch Republic reunion without the gimmicks, the tag team division would transform overnight. Think about the matchups we haven't seen in a high-stakes environment.
Imagine a 20-minute clinic against The War Raiders.
Think about the technical masterpiece they could put on with DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa).
Or a hard-hitting brawl with The Bloodline.
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The "New Catch" name itself is a tribute to the legendary Wigan "Snake Pit" where catch wrestling was born. It’s a brand built on respect and toughness. To see it diluted into a comedy act or a masked side-project feels like a missed opportunity to build a legendary legacy.
What’s the Current Status?
As of early 2026, the status of New Catch Republic is in a bit of a flux. While they’ve been performing under the Los Americanos banner, the wrestling world knows who is under those masks. The skill set is unmistakable. The "Big Strong Boy" still has that freakish strength, and Pete Dunne—whether you call him Rayo, Butch, or the Bruiserweight—is still one of the most vicious technicians on the planet.
Many insiders believe that the masked gimmick is a temporary "holding pattern" to keep them on TV until a major storyline opens up. History shows that WWE eventually circles back to what works. For these two, what works is being the most dangerous tag team from the United Kingdom.
Insights for the Future
If you're following the WWE New Catch Republic reunion saga, here is what you need to keep an eye on to understand where they are headed:
- Watch the Mask Reveal: The moment they lose the masks and revert to the New Catch Republic name will likely signal a massive push. This usually happens around major events like SummerSlam or the Royal Rumble.
- Track the NXT Connections: Both men frequently pop back down to NXT to help younger talent. Their involvement with teams like Axiom and Nathan Frazer often hints at their main roster standing.
- Monitor Social Media: Tyler Bate is notoriously quiet, but when he posts "Waiting," it’s a sign of internal frustration or an upcoming character shift.
- Focus on the Triple Threat: Never forget Trent Seven. While he isn't currently in the WWE mix, the "British Strong Style" history is the foundation of this team. Any mention of their past usually points to a return to their roots.
The reunion hasn't been the smooth sailing fans hoped for, but the talent hasn't gone anywhere. The New Catch Republic is essentially a dormant volcano. It’s only a matter of time before they erupt back into the title scene and remind everyone why they were called the founding fathers in the first place. Keep your eyes on the match cards—when the "Catch" style returns, the division gets a lot more painful for everyone else.